The Special Olympics State Games 2025 in Erlangen ended with an emotional closing ceremony on July 18. After five colorful and cheerful days, the largest inclusive sporting event of the year in Bavaria ended on Erlangen's town hall square. In front of around 1,000 athletes, coaches and visitors, the Special Olympics fire was extinguished and the flag was handed over to the host of the upcoming Winter Games in Sonthofen (Photo: SOBY Carina Pilz).

Many of the guests present on stage not only praised the organization of the national games. They also pointed out the political and social importance of sport for social inclusion. Special Olympics Bavaria (SOBY) plays an important role in this context as the regional association of the world's largest IOC-recognized sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities.

Showing courage and the willingness to reach out to others

As host of the national games, the city of Erlangen was involved in the preparations for the event together with SOBY for over two and a half years. Lord Mayor Florian Janik also drew a thoroughly positive balance: "I will not forget these days of the Special Olympics Bavaria in Erlangen. The encounters with the athletes were full of joy, strength and openness - they made a deep impression on me. I learned a lot: especially those of us who often don't consider ourselves to be limited must have the courage and willingness to reach out to others. When we do this, we get to know very special people. Inclusion starts with ourselves. I would like to thank the organizers, the sponsors and the many volunteers. They made these special moments possible."

Sport brings people together - regardless of age, religion or origin

Bavaria's Minister of the Interior and Sport, Joachim Herrmann, said of the athletes at the State Games: "They are all ambassadors for motivation, team spirit and joie de vivre. They are a sign of hope and motivation for many people with disabilities. And they exemplify how sport unites people regardless of age, religion or origin, how it creates shared experiences for people with and without disabilities."

Bavaria is strong together

Ulrike Scharf, Minister of State for Family, Labor and Social Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister: "Sport moves mountains! It brings us together, gives us strength and strengthens our confidence in ourselves. The achievements and the incredible commitment of the participants at the Special Olympics are unique. Inclusion is lived here - the confidence, courage and irrepressible will are infectious and show that sport is not just about fun and health. I am committed to ensuring that sport and the coexistence of people with and without disabilities are a matter of course. Bavaria is strong together."

The closing ceremony was hosted by Nele Ocik (Sky) and SOBY athlete spokesperson Max Kühnreich. Together, the two led through a varied program with performances by the inclusive band Vollgas, the acrobatics group from Ihna Erlangen, discussion rounds and the official Special Olympics ceremony.

Lasting and lasting impression

"These national games in Erlangen were phenomenal! They were a milestone for SOBY, for the city of Erlangen and for the participation of our athletes. They were a milestone for inclusion in Bavaria. And they were professionally organized. Over the past few days, our athletes have shown that they enrich the family of sport in many different ways. They have inspired and touched many people. I am sure that SOBY has left a lasting, positive and lasting impression in Erlangen. This not only makes us happy, but also a little proud. Thank you, Erlangen!" said Erwin Horak, President of SOBY.

The district of Middle Franconia also supported the regional games financially. District President Peter Daniel Forster: "The Special Olympics State Games in Erlangen were an impressive sporting event in the district of Middle Franconia. It was a great pleasure for me to experience so many enthusiastic athletes here. My heartfelt thanks go to the organization team, the city of Erlangen and the numerous volunteers - they all made the 2025 State Games a complete success. It was a matter of honor for the district of Middle Franconia to support this special event."

The emotional conclusion of the ceremony was marked by the extinguishing of the flame and the raising of the flag, following the example of the Olympics. The flag of Special Olympics Bavaria was handed over by the city of Erlangen to Birgit Gabriel, Head of Tourism, Sport, Events and Culture of the city of Sonthofen, and Melanie Rothmayr, Tourism Director of the Hörnerdörfer. The Winter Games will take place in the Oberallgäu in 2027.

The Special Olympics State Games Erlangen 2025 are officially open. The biggest inclusive sporting event of the year in Bavaria got off to a brilliant and dignified start on July 14 with a varied, colorful and emotional opening ceremony. Despite the weather, more than 3,000 visitors made sure that the games for people with intellectual disabilities in Middle Franconia got off to a great start on the festival grounds of the Kulturinsel Wöhrmühle. The evening was hosted by Markus Othmer and Stefanie Scherer, athlete spokesperson for Special Olympics Bavaria (SOBY).

Mayor Jörg Volleth represented the host of the state games. He emphasized the importance of the games for the city of Erlangen: "It is a great honour for Erlangen to be able to experience and support this special spirit of the Special Olympics Bavarian State Games in our city. The athletes show us what it means to achieve goals together with passion, perseverance and mutual respect. We are now looking forward to an unforgettable sporting event and would like to send a strong signal for an open and inclusive society together with all those involved."

Minister of State Joachim Herrmann spoke the official opening address on behalf of the patron, the Bavarian Minister President. During the opening ceremony, he emphasized the importance of Special Olympics Bavaria for inclusion in Bavaria: "Special Olympics Germany in Bavaria brings people with intellectual disabilities into the heart of society and gives them the opportunity to show what they are capable of in public. This strengthens their self-esteem and their confidence in their own abilities and gives them a sense of belonging and participation. It is also to the great credit of Special Olympics Bavaria that the integrative power of sport for the benefit of the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities is repeatedly brought to bear so effectively."

The opening ceremony began with the ceremonial entry of the delegations. Around 1,500 athletes and their 400 coaches marched in to the cheers of the crowd. "I am happy to see so many happy faces. And I am happy that things are finally getting underway," said Erwin Horak, President of SOBY, welcoming the crowd. "The National Games are a highlight and a beacon for the inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities. I am looking forward to the coming days with fair sporting competitions, encounters and lots of emotions."

Dieter Münch, Vice President of Special Olympics Germany, highlighted the development Special Olympics has undergone in recent years since the World Games: "The 2023 World Games in Berlin have given Special Olympics Germany an enormous boost, and the visibility of athletes and people with intellectual disabilities in the public eye has increased. It is now important to use this tailwind in our daily work. I am therefore looking forward to the national games in eleven federal states this year, where we can send out a strong signal for inclusion. For the upcoming State Games in Erlangen, I wish all participants, athletes, helpers and visitors every success and, above all, lots of fun and many moving and inspiring moments."

The flame of hope - the fire of Special Olympics - was lit by Dennis Turk together with Nina Özer (both Lebenshilfe Erlangen) and TV presenter Katrin Müller-Hohenstein. Together with Tim Gömmel from HC Erlangen, the three Faces of the State Games were present throughout the city in the days leading up to the Games.

SOBY athlete spokesperson Max Kühnreich was closely involved in the preparations for the State Games as a member of the organizing committee: "It's always something special when Special Olympics Games are opened. So many people are cheering this week just for us. I'm looking forward to the next few days here in Erlangen and wish all the athletes every success and enjoyment at the national games."

The athletes' oath "I want to win. But if I can't win, I want to courageously give my best", said Erlangen beach volleyball player Stefan Peter Wilhelm. Deborah Specht, Head of Delegation of the largest delegation at the Games, Lebenshilfe Erlangen, spoke the coaches' oath and Günther Herbolsheimer, Chief Judge of Boccia, vowed on behalf of the officials to lead the +competitions at the State Games in the spirit of sport.

The opening ceremony was accompanied by an inclusive show program. In addition to the music group "All inklusiv" from the Erlangen Municipal Singing and Music School, the EMC cheerleaders with performances from three different groups and the dance group "EveryBody" from Nuremberg provided variety and an exuberant atmosphere. The "Schmetterlinge" music group from the Moritzberg workshops of Lebenshilfe in the Nuremberg region also performed a song specially rewritten for the State Games.

The flame of hope will now burn in Erlangen until July 18. Over the next four days of the event, Erlangen will host competitions in 19 different sports. The family evening, the helpers' and athletes' disco, the Healthy Athletes® health program and the non-competitive activities and games round off the biggest SOBY National Games to date.

The Bavarian Dental Association (BLZK) and Special Olympics Bavaria (SOBY) are cooperation partners. The BLZK and the sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities signed a joint agreement on future cooperation during the 2025 National Games in Erlangen.

The BLZK has been supporting SOBY in the Healthy Athletes® health program since the 2012 National Games in Munich. One of the program's health disciplines is Special Smiles® - Healthy in the Mouth. This discipline makes an important contribution to promoting the oral and dental health of people with intellectual disabilities. Screenings of athletes take place on the fringes of SOBY sporting events or as a mobile service in facilities for the disabled.

Part of the cooperation between SOBY and the BLZK is the joint implementation of Special Smiles® offers. The BLZK provides support in recruiting dentists as volunteers and with materials such as demo dentures, giveaways and information material.

Seven soccer players from Bolzano are taking part in the Special Olympics Bavaria (SOBY) regional games. The team from Lebenshilfe Südtirol is traveling from the Italian twin city together with their coach Alfred Hermeter. Lebenshilfe Erlangen has maintained close contact with Lebenshilfe in South Tyrol since the town twinning was established. Following exchanges between employees, trips to both municipalities and a joint art exhibition, the first sports exchange is taking place this year. If you would like to cheer on the guests from Bolzano during the Special Olympic national games, you can find more information and the match schedule online at https://specialolympics.de/erlangen2025

On June 30, the Siemens Healthineers Training Center hosted a successful charity evening for the Special Olympics Bavaria support association. The event offered guests the opportunity to get to know the valuable work of Special Olympics Bavaria and the support association. Welcoming the guests, the chairman of the association, Thomas Schmid, presented the necessity of inclusion. He also highlighted the important work of charitable organizations in the field of disability support. All people are worthy of support and need help.

The evening was also characterized by inspiring interviews with

• the top sponsor of the national games, Siemens Healthineers - represented by Stefan Kätzlmeier
• Athlete Werner Wiedmann
• Athlete Sigrid Salzmann and
• Mayor of the city of Erlangen, Jörg Volleth.

"You have to tell as many people as possible about Special Olympics and ask them to become members of the support association," emphasized Werner Wiedemann. As an active Special Olympics athlete, he is also an assessor on the board of the sponsoring association and athlete spokesperson for Special Olympics Bavaria.

The inclusive band Vollgas Combo from the Fürth e.V. music school provided the musical accompaniment and contributed to the festive atmosphere. Lebenshilfe Erlangen e.V., the winemaker Martin Blumenstock and the company St. GeorgenBräu Kramer GmbH & Co. KG spoiled those present with culinary delights.

The main aim of the evening was to recruit new members and supporters for the association. The aim is to further promote the inclusion and participation of people with intellectual disabilities. The guiding principle "Together we are stronger!" was the motivation behind the founding of the association by HRH Prince Leopold of Bavaria and his fellow campaigners 15 years ago.

The organizers were very pleased with how the evening went. They thanked all the guests and supporters who contributed to this successful event. The feedback was consistently positive. Many guests expressed their wish to continue supporting the association in the future.

Erlanger Stadtwerke (ESTW) and Special Olympics Bayern (SOBY) become partners. ESTW is a project sponsor of the State Games for people with intellectual disabilities in Erlangen. By supporting Bavaria's largest inclusive sporting event, the Erlangen-based energy supplier is sending out a strong signal for the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in Erlangen.

Frank Oneseit, Chief Technical Officer at ESTW: "As a municipal company, a sense of society as a whole and cohesion are also very important to us. We want to be there for Erlangen and the local people. It is therefore a pleasure for us to support the Special Olympics Bavaria in organizing the largest inclusive sporting event in Bavaria here in Erlangen. The future is only possible together."

Erwin Horak, President of SOBY: "As an energy supplier, Erlanger Stadtwerke is an important part of life in Erlangen. We are therefore delighted to welcome ESTW to our side as a project sponsor. With its commitment, Stadtwerke is demonstrating its social responsibility and raising awareness of inclusion in Erlangen. Thank you very much for this support."

In addition to the reliable supply of electricity, heat, natural gas and water, ESTW also operates Erlangen's swimming pools. These include the Röthelheimbad with the Hannah-Stockbauer-Halle. This is where the swimming competitions take place with over 200 athletes.

Feser Biemann Erlangen GmbH is the project sponsor of the Landesspiele 2025 Erlangen. Feser Biemann is the specialist for Audi, Cupra, Seat, Škoda and Volkswagen commercial vehicles in Erlangen. As a project sponsor, Feser Biemann is providing Special Olympics Bavaria with cars and commercial vehicles and thus part of the Games' vehicle fleet.

Manuel Biemann, Managing Director of Feser Biemann Erlangen GmbH: "As a vehicle partner of the Special Olympics Bavaria, we are proud to set a clear signal for inclusion and to support this important commitment."

Erwin Horak, President of SOBY: "Many thanks to Feser Biemann Erlangen GmbH. As a project sponsor, it is making an important contribution to the national games. And in a very practical way: by providing vehicles for our fleet, Feser Biemann helps our staff and volunteers to stay mobile and ensure that everything runs smoothly at the national games. A visible and tangible partnership."

imbus AG is project sponsor of the Special Olympics State Games 2025 Erlangen. The IT company, headquartered in Möhrendorf near Erlangen, is a leading solution provider for quality assurance and testing of software-based products. As a project sponsor of the National Games for people with intellectual disabilities, imbus AG is providing, installing and supporting around 20 IT workstations for various sports organization teams. This commitment underlines imbus AG's solidarity with the region and its efforts to actively promote inclusion.

Thomas Roßner, CEO of imbus AG: "Promoting diversity and inclusion is very important to imbus - and we are all the more pleased to be able to support local clubs and organizations directly and unbureaucratically."

Erwin Horak, President of SOBY: "The diverse commitment of local companies to these national games is very impressive. This partnership with imbus AG is a good example of this. With its expertise and many years of experience in the IT sector, imbus AG provides indispensable added value for the smooth running of the competitions. Thank you very much for your commitment and support."

With around 400 employees at six locations in Germany, imbus has been dedicated to software quality assurance and software testing for over 30 years. imbus also assumes social responsibility.

Special Olympics Bavaria (SOBY) is launching "MITTENdrin - Mitbestimmen als Inklusives Teilhabe-Tandem in Eurem Netzwerk", a Bavaria-wide model project to strengthen the participation, co-determination and involvement of people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of the project is to motivate people with and without disabilities in an inclusive tandem to represent their interests in local networks in a self-determined and independent manner and to make use of their opportunities for co-determination.

Erwin Horak, President of SOBY: "With the MITTENdrin project, we want to empower our athletes to be an equal part of local inclusion networks: they should be able to find their way around and be heard in clubs, institutions, committees and communities. Involving our target group is an important incentive in our daily work. Participation and inclusion can only succeed in the long term if we talk to our athletes and overcome barriers together. MITTENdrin provides a practical and inclusive approach that offers added value for Bavaria-wide networking."

The project started some time ago. In spring 2025, the first training course for inclusive participation tandems took place in Erlangen. Four tandems with a total of 5 people with intellectual disabilities were trained over two days at the training center of the Lebenshilfe Landesverband Bayern. In addition to learning the basics of networking, the tandems also developed concrete ideas and projects for their networks at home. FC Bayern Alzenau, for example, is planning an open day. A co-determiner from Nuremberg would like to volunteer for and design a local climbing project.

As part of the project, the inclusive tandems, consisting of a co-determiner with a disability and a tandem partner without a disability, act as equals. They learn with and from each other, both during the training and afterwards in their networks.

Through their commitment, the tandems also motivate other people to stand up for their rights and advocate for their ideas and wishes in a self-determined way. SOBY remains in contact with the tandems and their networks after the training and supports their activities. In 2025, two more training courses are planned in Munich and a training weekend in Amberg. The MITTENdrin project is funded by Aktion Mensch and will run for three years.

100 days before the Games, Special Olympics Bavaria (SOBY) and the city of Erlangen held a press conference to provide a comprehensive outlook on the biggest inclusive sporting event of the year in Bavaria. The State Games for people with intellectual disabilities can announce a record number of participants:

• 1,332 athletes
• 143 unified partners without disabilities
• 507 coaches and trainers

have officially registered. With around 3,000 total participants, the 2025 National Games will be the biggest SOBY event ever.

Mayor Jörg Volleth: "It is a great honor to welcome a record number of participants to the Special Olympics State Games in our city and to experience an unforgettable sporting event together. The Erlangen State Games are a great opportunity for us to use the unifying power of sport to further break down existing barriers and raise awareness of inclusion, diversity and equality. The aim is to create a platform beyond the national games where people with different abilities can come together, develop their talents and overcome their limitations."

Erwin Horak, President of SOBY: "In 100 days' time, the Games will get underway. We are looking forward to welcoming more athletes to our national games than ever before. This is a wonderful signal to society. Our athletes are active and they want to compete in a fair sporting competition. They will all ensure that Erlangen will experience an unforgettable, colorful and cheerful event in July. The State Games have the power to strengthen participation and inclusion throughout Bavaria in the long term. Together with our partners, we will do everything we can in the remaining 100 days to ensure that we experience successful games that will be remembered for a long time to come."

Around 140 delegations will be competing in Erlangen. The largest of these is Lebenshilfe Erlangen. The majority of the delegations come from the Free State of Bavaria. Foreign participants come from Italy, Austria, Poland and Switzerland. Teams from the nine other Special Olympics state associations of Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia will also be competing.

Competitions in 19 sports will take place at the state games. With over 200 athletes each, athletics and swimming are the largest competitions. For the first time, competitions and action days in the sports of beach volleyball, archery, handball, field hockey and roller skating are also part of the Special Olympics Bavaria state games.

According to the German government's third participation report (2021), people with disabilities do less sport than people without disabilities. However, exercise and sports activities can be a good starting point for people with intellectual, mental and/or physical disabilities to participate in social life.

As part of the Special Olympics Bavarian State Games 2025 in Erlangen, the "Health for ALL" symposium on Tuesday, May 13, at the Haus der Kirche Kreuz+Quer (Bohlenplatz 1) will therefore focus on access to sports and exercise opportunities for people with disabilities. Anyone interested can register online from now until April 11 (www.lzg-bayern.de/veranstaltungen/fachtag-gesundheit-fuer-alle-zugaenge-zu-sport-und-bewegung-fuer-menschen-mit-beeintraechtigung.html). Participation in the event is free of charge.

The symposium is being organized by Special Olympics Bayern e. V., the City of Erlangen and Lebenshilfe Landesverband Bayern e. V., among others.

With the help of a specialist presentation in the morning, a look will be taken at the opportunities that exercise and sport offer for people with disabilities. Two practical projects will illustrate how the health of people with disabilities can be strengthened through exercise in everyday life and how access to organized sport - in particular to sports clubs - can be made easier for them. In the afternoon, we will offer you four workshops in two sessions, which will deal with different aspects of exercise and sport for people with disabilities and leave room for your questions, ideas and discussion points.

Nina Özer, Dennis Turk, Katrin Müller-Hohenstein and Tim Gömmel are the faces of the Landesspiele Erlangen 2025. The two athletes from Lebenshilfe Erlangen, the TV presenter and the HC Erlangen handball pro are the four ambassadors of the event for people with intellectual disabilities. Together, they stand for the community, friendship, enthusiasm and inclusive power that the State Games will ignite in summer 2025. The games will take place under the motto #Gemeinsamstark (#strongtogether) and are the largest inclusive sporting event in Bavaria this year.

Nina Özer and Dennis Turk, two employees of the Regnitz workshops of Lebenshilfe Erlangen, are part of the SOBY campaign. For both of them, sport is an important part of their lives. Nina Özer is an enthusiastic runner, she climbs, is a cheerleader and practises the martial art of karate. Dennis Turk, on the other hand, has found his calling as a soccer referee. Both are looking forward to the national games in their home town of Erlangen.

Nina Özer: "I'm really looking forward to the national games. It's great that everyone can take part here. I was a bit excited before the photo session with Katrin Müller-Hohenstein. She's really really nice." As a referee, Dennis Turk wants to make his contribution to the national games and to the development of inclusion in his home country: "I've found something that fulfills me with referee training for soccer. I want to take part in SOBY because I think I'm the right person to be a referee. Special Olympics is something great and important."

From Erlangen to Aktuelle Sportstudio - and always connected to her home town
Katrin Müller-Hohenstein was born in Erlangen. After starting out as a radio presenter in Nuremberg, she is now known throughout Germany as the presenter of the current sports studio and numerous major sporting events such as the Olympic Games or soccer World Cups and European Championships. She is committed to the State Games in Erlangen out of conviction: "The State Games in my home town, it couldn't be better. Look forward to a great sporting event with magical people. Sport, that's what we all are!"

A role model for the youth and the athletes of SOBY
Tim Gömmel is 19 years old and plays right wing for the handball Bundesliga club HC Erlangen. Gömmel comes from Middle Franconia and not only made the leap into the professional squad through the youth of HC Erlangen, but also into the extended squad of the national handball team for the 2025 World Championship. He sees the national games in his home region as a great opportunity for more social participation of the athletes: "The national games are a real highlight for the athletes, but also for Erlangen. All participants will feel very welcome. Together, we can use this event to enable more participation for people with disabilities. I am sure that we will all experience many unforgettable moments."

adidas is the official outfitter of the Special Olympics State Games 2025 in Erlangen! The sporting goods manufacturer from Herzogenaurach is supporting this year's largest inclusive sporting event, which will take place just a few kilometers from the company's headquarters. With this collaboration, adidas and SOBY are sending a strong regional, but also Bavaria-wide signal for participation and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. The helpers at the national games will be dressed by adidas. In addition, 50 adidas volunteers will also be in action.

Erwin Horak, President of SOBY: "We are delighted, thank you to adidas! Thank you to the company for being part of our national games in Erlangen. The company is sending a strong signal for participation and inclusion in the region at the Games on its own doorstep. As a partner of Special Olympics Germany, adidas is already showing that social commitment to our athletes is firmly anchored in the Group. We are expecting many helpers from Herzogenaurach at our event. I am sure they will all experience unforgettable days and inclusion at first hand. Thank you for this great commitment."

Marina Moguš, Managing Director for Central Europe at adidas: "We can hardly wait to support the Special Olympics National Games in Erlangen. In addition to equipping the volunteers, we offer our employees the opportunity to volunteer and experience the largest inclusive multi-sport event in Bavaria with all its emotions for themselves. We are convinced that we can change lives through sport."

Special Olympics Bavaria (SOBY) has unveiled the logo for the 2025 State Games in Erlangen. Together with athletes from Lebenshilfe Erlangen and Mayor Jörg Volleth, SOBY Vice President Jürgen Auer revealed the secret of the event logo for the largest inclusive sporting event for people with intellectual disabilities in Bavaria. With a colorful, cheerful and individual design, the logo of the State Games will now ensure anticipation and recognition.

Mayor Jörg Volleth: "The logo is a great fit for our city, as it shows what Erlangen stands for. Thanks to its cheerful design, it will make a significant contribution to promoting the 2025 State Games even more strongly and thus give sport for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities a greater significance in our urban society in the long term. I am therefore delighted that the logo is now being published and can take effect."

In addition to the Special Olympics logo, the event logo for the regional games also includes Erlangen's landmarks. The Huguenot Church and the Ferris wheel of the Bergkirchweih represent the tradition of the Huguenot city and the Franconian hospitality of the city. Other elements such as the heart, flag and medal express the courage and self-confidence as well as the sporting ambition and enthusiasm of the athletes.

Jürgen Auer, Vice President SOBY: "The logo of the National Games is an important part of our visibility and the identification of many people with this event. We are particularly happy that our athletes were involved in its creation. With their opinions and ideas, they have shown us the way. I am sure that the logo will be well received and will be remembered as an unforgettable event for a long time to come."

Members of the SOBY Athletes' Council and athletes from Lebenshilfe Erlangen were involved in the logo creation process. In two workshops, they discussed different areas such as sport and leisure in general, but also competition and the State Games in Erlangen in particular. The results of the workshops were used to create the final logo for the State Games. The anticipation of the result was particularly noticeable among the participating athletes from Lebenshilfe Erlangen.

Stefanie Stamm, an athlete from Lebenshilfe Erlangen: "The logo for the State Games is beautiful. I think it suits us well in Erlangen." Frank Morell, 1st Chairman of Lebenshilfe Erlangen, is also looking forward to the event with great anticipation: "I really like it. A great result from our workshop. We are very much looking forward to the 2025 State Games in the Huguenot City of Erlangen."

Photo: City of Erlangen; from left to right: Anne-Theresa Karmann, Office for Sport and Health Promotion, SOBY Vice President Jürgen Auer, Carmen Reis, athlete from Lebenshilfe Erlangen and Mayor Jörg Volleth

Special Olympics Bayern e.V. (SOBY) celebrated its 20th birthday in 2024. The sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities looked back on two decades with a festive evening in Munich's Augustiner Keller on 18 March 2024. Max Kühnreich, SOBY athlete spokesperson, and Markus Othmer hosted the evening in front of over 300 guests.

Before the celebratory evening, Special Olympics Bavaria set an important course for the future. The entire executive committee was re-elected at the general meeting. The committee also approved an unprecedented budget for the 2025 financial year. At the celebratory evening, SOBY President Erwin Horak expressed his happiness and gratitude for the development of the past few years: "SOBY is a strong and reliable partner in the Bavarian sports family. The association would not be where it is today if it had not been for a handful of motivated and committed people who had set out on the path. The last few years have shown us that our athletes are demanding their place in organized sport and that they have earned it. That makes us proud and is an incentive to keep working - for more recognition and participation."

The Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior, Sport and Integration has also been supporting Special Olympics Bavaria since 2024. An important and forward-looking step for the association. State Secretary Sandro Kirchner: "SOBY offers a great approach to inclusion, which is essential for our society, and the sports associations and clubs can also take a big leaf out of its book. This is also linked to the motivation to cover inclusion across the board. Because in sport in particular, it is very important that we unite and involve the whole of society and, of course, give Special Olympics athletes the feeling that they are an integral part of the big sports family."

Sven Albrecht, Federal Managing Director of Special Olympics Germany: "Over the last 20 years, a great deal has been achieved in Bavaria that has helped us as Special Olympics Germany as a whole. But the most important thing, dear athletes, is that Special Olympics has developed to the point where you are the heart of our organization. That you in the organization have a say in what we should do, how we should develop, how society should develop. Therefore, the greatest merit of the Bavarian state association in the overall organization is that it was the one that had the first Athletes' Council and placed the athletes at the heart of our organization. SOBY - that's you!"

Siemens Healthineers is the first top sponsor of the Special Olympics State Games Bavaria 2025 Erlangen. This was announced by the Erlangen-based medical technology company and Special Olympics Bayern e.V. (SOBY) on February 20. With its commitment to the State Games for people with intellectual disabilities, Siemens Healthineers is sending a strong signal for diversity, participation and inclusion.

Mayor Jörg Volleth:

"The impressions and experiences that we have already been able to gather as a so-called Host Town as part of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 were overwhelming. I am therefore very much looking forward to continuing and deepening the connections we made last year by hosting the Special Olympics Bavaria 2025 regional games. Because our goal is to make our city's sports program even more inclusive in the future."

Dr. Bernd Ohnesorge, President for Europe, Middle East & Africa at Siemens Healthineers:

"Siemens Healthineers promotes diversity, variety and inclusion in our daily interactions. We are proud to be a top sponsor of the Special Olympics Bavaria. Athletes will show impressive sporting performances. We are looking forward to the many athletes, coaches and teams of helpers and will actively support them. We want to actively live inclusion and set an example for diversity."

The partnership between Siemens Healthineers and SOBY will focus on inclusive encounters. Employees of the company will support the national games as volunteers. This will allow them to experience the unifying and inclusive power of sport as well as the joy and openness of the Special Olympics athletes. In addition to purely supporting the largest inclusive multi-sport event in Bavaria in 2025, corporate volunteering will also create awareness and recognition for the needs and achievements of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Erwin Horak, President of SOBY:

"With Siemens Healthineers, we welcome a strong partner at our side. In particular, the personal commitment of the helpers from Siemens Healtineers will enrich the National Games. I know that after a week of Special Olympics with many positive and emotional encounters with our athletes, these helpers are the best multipliers for our cause. This brings more social participation and lived inclusion for our athletes. I am sure that the volunteers will carry this spirit into their working lives, into the clubs and into their families."

On December 9, 2023, the city of Erlangen and Special Olympics Bayern e.V. (SOBY) signed the framework agreement to host the Special Olympics Bavarian State Games 2025. Mayor Florian Janik and SOBY President Erwin Horak signed the agreement during an information event held by the sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities at the training institute of the Bavarian Association of Lebenshilfe. They thus sealed the cooperation.

Lord Mayor Florian Janik: "Open by tradition is the city motto and we live diversity here every day. I am therefore delighted that we will be able to welcome this colorful sports festival to Erlangen in 2025. It is a great opportunity to show what people can achieve together if we take inclusion seriously. And it is an incentive to continue breaking down barriers in all areas of life." As part of the contract signing, SOBY, organizer of the 2025 State Games, and the city of Erlangen as host officially announced the date of the event. The State Games for people with intellectual disabilities will take place from July 14-18, 2025.

Erwin Horak, President of SOBY: "We are delighted to have agreed to work together on the 2025 State Games today. With the city of Erlangen, we have a strong and reliable partner at our side. Inclusion in sport has been on the agenda in Erlangen for many years. The 2025 State Games are another important step on the way to greater participation of our athletes in sport. Together with the city, we are now setting out to ensure that we can all experience colorful, joyful and, above all, inclusive State Games in Erlangen in July 2025."
Standing: Mayor Jörg Volleth (left) and Jürgen Auer, Vice President of SOBY. Sitting at the table: Erwin Horak (left) and Lord Mayor Florian Janik. Photo: City of Erlangen/Sports Department

A delegation from Special Olympics Bavaria (SOBY) with President Erwin Horak visited the town hall on April 5 for the official kick-off meeting for the joint project.

Lord Mayor Florian Janik: "Inclusion and participation are important guiding themes in our city - especially in sport. The fact that we will be hosting the Special Olympics State Games in 2025 is simply fantastic. We are highly motivated to be a good host and celebrate a new highlight in our sporting history."

Erwin Horak, President of SOBY: "We are delighted to now start preparations for the 2025 State Games together with Erlangen. We were impressed by the concept with which Erlangen submitted its bid in 2022. Now it's time to bring this concept to life. Erlangen is a city of sport. The sports landscape here already thinks and acts inclusively in many areas. We now want to win over this network as quickly as possible for the planning and preparation of the national games. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but with the city of Erlangen we have a strong host at our side. Our partner is just as committed as we are to sustainably strengthening genuine participation and freedom of choice for people with intellectual disabilities. We are looking forward to the games in Erlangen!"

Together with representatives of the city administration, Mayor Jörg Volleth was a guest in Bad Tölz on January 26, 2023. There, Special Olympics Bayern e. V. (SOBY) - the sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities in Bavaria - officially presented the city of Erlangen with a flag for the Special Olympics 2025 as part of the Winter Games.

Erlangen won over the SOBY board with its bid, which included in particular the sports facilities around the new Bürger-, Begegnungs- und Gesundheitszentrum (BBGZ). "In line with our city motto 'Open by tradition', we already offer a diverse and colorful range of sports in Erlangen. We want to make this even more inclusive in the future and set important signals for this. It is therefore a special honor for us that the Special Olympics Bavarian State Games 2025 will take place in Erlangen and we are looking forward to meeting the athletes and having fun at the Summer Games in our city," said Mayor Jörg Volleth.

Up to 1,500 athletes with and without intellectual disabilities and their delegations are expected in Erlangen for the 2025 SOBY State Games. Competitions are expected to take place in 20 different sports. The supporting program with opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletes' and helpers' disco round off the program. A total of 750 helpers will be on hand to contribute to the success of the event. The approximately 2,500 participants can expect a colorful, cheerful and inclusive event that will make the unifying power of sport visible and tangible.